MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Playing on ESPN2 to open the 2022 season, Central Michigan came up short of defeating Oklahoma State, 58-44.  After a close first quarter where OSU had a slight edge, 16-7, the Cowboys put 28 points on the board in the second quarter for a 32-15 advantage.

CMU produced more offense in the game with 546 total yards to OSU’s 531 yards passing for 424 yards. Lew Nichols rushed 26 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns on a defense that was top 10 nationally last season. Daniel Richardson went 36-for-49 for 424 yards and four touchdown passes. Jalen McGaughy led the team with six receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Also catching touchdowns were Carlos Garriere and Myles Bailey.

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Trey Jones led the defense with nine tackles as eight were solo while Thomas Incoom recorded a sack.

OSU started the scoring at the 10:09 mark in the first quarter on a 45-yard pass. CMU answered three minutes later when Richardson found Carriere from 15-yards out tying the game at seven. The turning point came with just under a minute left in the first quarter when OSU recorded a safety to take the two-point lead, 9-7. Just 55 seconds later, they were in the end zone after the kickoff making it 16-7. By eh 4:32 mark in the second quarter, OSU had moved their lead to 37-7 before the 37-15 halftime lead.

CMU will have their first home game on September 10 vs. South Alabama when they rededicate their field at 1:00 p.m.